Deadline is Tuesday for property owners to submit Foxwoods bids

Monday

Feb 24, 2014 at 6:44 PMFeb 24, 2014 at 6:59 PM

Flanagan says four or five offers will range from 27 acres to 200 acres

Jo C. Goode Herald News Staff Reporter @jgoodeHN

FALL RIVER — Partners of Foxwoods Resort Casino and the investment group Crossroads Massachusetts LLC made good on their pledge to fast-track the pursuit of a land deal within 30 days from the date they announced their desire to build in the city.

Tuesday at 5 p.m. is the deadline for property owners to submit sealed offers, confirmed Fall River Office of Economic Development Vice President Kenneth Fiola Jr.

As chairman of the newly formed Site Committee, which includes local business and education leaders, Fiola said he will be the only person to actually review the bids before handing them off to Foxwoods partners.

The development is expected to include a 140,000-square-foot gambling floor, approximately 20 restaurants, a 350-room hotel, a “name-brand” shopping mall, an entertainment arena, a convention center and spa — and come with the possible creation of 3,000 to 5,000 jobs.

While no site has been identified, the partners indicated they are looking for a highly visible location and with work being done to open the waterfront and easy access to nearby highways, it is likely to be a desirable area of the city.

Mayor Will Flanagan said there will be four or five submissions that range from 27 acres to 200 acres.

When a site is identified, Flanagan said the announcement will be made in tandem with Foxwoods partners, the administration and members of the Site Committee.

“I do expect the process to move forward,” Flanagan said. “And I expect it will go before the voters in late spring.”

It may be ambitious.

Before going to voters with a referendum, city officials will have to work out a host community agreement and on how quickly Foxwoods can vet the land proposals.

David Nunes, Foxwoods' chief development officer, said the company is trying to move as quickly as possible but that there could be access and environmental concerns with preferred land.

Foxwoods first attempted to convince voters in Milford to accept a $1 billion resort casino but were trounced at the polls in November despite spending over $1 million on a campaign.

Flanagan has been positive about residents in the city approving the casino.

In November, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission ruled them suitable to apply for one of three gaming licenses available.

However, Foxwoods isn’t allowed to apply for the southeastern region’s gaming license without voter approval.

The gaming conglomerate has competition in the southeastern region, with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe vying for a license in Taunton.

According to The Taunton Daily Gazette, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have signed off on a compact between Gov. Deval Patrick and the tribe. That brings it one step closer to building a casino in Taunton if it is successful in its application to have land taken into trust in the city.

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